Summer Sweepstakes!

It's been such a busy summer, I've barely had time to breathe. Has your summer been like that too? Believe it or not, I've actually had moments of looking forward to winter when there's nothing to do except read and write and shovel snow. (I'll be eating those words in a few months, of course.)

At any rate, I'm back with something fun to celebrate summer! How would you like to win a signed, hardcover copy of SEX AND THE SINGLE FIREMAN? The hardcover versions were produced for the book clubs, so they aren't available anywhere unless you're a book club member or you send me lots and lots of chocolate. Just kidding.

All you have to do is enter here, and you'll be in the running!

https://www.facebook.com/JenniferBernardBooks/app_1396824550534896?ref=br_tf

I'm calling this the I Love Summer Sweepstakes, because as busy as I am, I'm loving every minute. I wish you an equally wonderful summer. And good luck in the sweepstakes!

In other fun news, I'll have a special gift for all of my newsletter subscribers in September: a free short story called FALLING FOR THE FIREMAN! This is another story in the Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel series, and I think you'll  really enjoy it. My newsletter signup is the on the sidebar to the right.

Happy summer!

Where to Find Me at RT 2013

I don't know about you, but I'm getting excited for the RT Booklovers Convention. I'm already on the road, visiting family in Chicago. On Tuesday I'll be flying to Kansas City for five days of whirlwind fun. Here's a rundown of the events I'll be attending. If you're coming to the convention, I hope to see you!

Thursday, May 4 at 1:30 – The Bride Wore Two-Ply. I'll be one of several Avon authors leading teams of readers in the creation of a wedding dress out of … imagine this … toilet paper. Though I'd never heard of this before, apparently many people have tried it and come up with some fabulous gowns. If you like craftsy activities, or if you just want to laugh hysterically, please join us!

To make it even crazier, Avon will be live-streaming the fun at http://bit.ly/LHKoGR 

Friday, May 5 at 8:30 – Fountain City Jazz Mixer. I’m one of the hostesses of this fabulous 20’s themed breakfast. We’ll enjoy champagne fountains, hot jazz, flapper costumes (mine has peacock feathers), games and prizes … and hopefully your company! No costume required. 

 Friday, May 5 at 11:15 – I’ll be presenting a workshop on Hot Hot Heroes: Creating the Contemporary Heartthrob along with Candis Terry and Lizbeth Selvig. What makes a drool-worthy hero? We want your feedback. 

Friday, May 5 at 6:15 – Avon’s Red Slipper Lounge. I, along with many other Avon authors, will be signing and giving away books.

Saturday, May 6 from 11 am to 2 pm – Giant Book Fair. This is one of the biggest romance novel book signings in the country. Many romance superstars will be there – I’m looking forward to being a fangirl as well as a signer.

Saturday, May 6 from 6:30 to 7:30 - FANtastic Day Party - Tons of authors will be chatting and mingling with readers. This is a new event for me, so I do hope you'll drop by. 

Promo Alley - I'll be stocking my table with some special surprise goodies, so be sure to look for my name!

When I’m not at these events, I’ll be milling around the bar or the coffee shop. If you’re attending the conference, I hope you'll say hi. It’s always a blast.

Cover Reveal: HOW TO TAME A WILD FIREMAN

Even though I'm a writer, I'm not sure I have the right words to convey how much I LOVE this cover!! The colors are outrageously gorgeous. And it completely fits the story, which is about Patrick "Psycho" Callahan's trip to Nevada to fight a wildfire threatening his hometown. It's hot and wild and I had a great time writing it. This book comes out on September 24, 2013. If you pre-order it, you get amazing discounts on Amazon, B&N.com, and Books a Million.

Preorder at Amazon

Preorder at B&N

Preorder at Books a Million

Enjoy!

March Madness -- Alaska Style

Talk about March Madness! When it comes to sports, things get a little strange here in Alaska. Especially at this time of year, when winter has been going ... and going ... and going. Sure basketball's fun, but what about this event from the recently completed Fur Rondy in Anchorage?

Yes, Outhouse Races!

Why aren't these races on national TV, I ask you? The most important rule in this demented event: someone has to be on that toilet seat during the entire race.

Then there's the World Ice Art Competition, which is going on right now in Fairbanks. The sculptures are incredibly elaborate and beautiful, but seriously -- don't you have to be a little crazy to work in below zero temperatures carving ice with a chainsaw?

The madness takes a unique form in certain men. The Alaska Beard Competition is proof of that. Why else would so many fine gentlemen compete for the title of "Mr. Fur Face"? If you think this picture is ... odd ... imagine the photos I didn't post. Believe me, you can't.

And sometimes the madness affects an entire community. Take the Nenana Ice Classic, which is a lottery for guessing the precise minute when the ice will begin to break up on the Tanana river, causing a tripod to crash. Here's a shot from the webcam trained on that tripod all winter long. Bored? Why not check the webcam? Because nothing's more fascinating than watching ice not thaw.

The pool currently stands at $350,000. Last year the winner drilled his own holes in the river ice to study the conditions. That's serious business. Or crazy. I can't decide which.

March Madness? Oh yeah. We've got it bad here in Alaska. I'm so tired of winter, I'm dying to heat things up. Like, maybe with some hot firemen. (How's that for a segue?) In case you don't know me, I write the Bachelor Firemen series about the sexy, smokin' hot firemen of San Gabriel California. I'll give away a signed copy of HOT FOR FIREMAN to one randomly chosen commenter. All you have to do is tell me which Alaska event looks the craziest. :-)

Click this link to enter a Rafflecopter giveaway.

And click here for a complete list of participants in the March Madness Blog Hop. I hope you're having a blast! <

Reviews and the Flight or Fight Response

Even though SEX AND THE SINGLE FIREMAN is my third book, I still get heart palpitations every time I get a new review. I'm not exaggerating. I see my name pop up, or the title of my book, and my heart goes into overdrive, as if I'm facing some life or death, flight or fight situation.

Luckily, no matter how bad a review, it's not a wolf in the wilderness trying to rip your throat out (though it may feel that way on occasion). Three books down, and I've learned how to handle reviews without squinting as I click on the link, ready to dump out if it's a bad one.

I've learned to accept that everyone has their point of view. Once the book leaves my hands, it no longer "belongs" to me. It belongs out there on the open ocean of opinion, and it can handle whatever comes its way. My job is to write the next book, which will, of course, be perfect and please absolutely everyone!

Overall, I've been very fortunate to have received some wonderful reviews. In that spirit, I thought I'd share a couple of new reviews I've gotten for SEX AND THE SINGLE FIREMAN.

Here's my first ever review from Affaire de Coeur Magazine. Key lines:

Jennifer Bernard's latest is an awesome tour de force that readers won’t be able to put down. ... Don’t miss a tale that is fantastic from start to finish!

And here's a review from Romance Reviews Today. Key lines:

Jennifer Bernard has once again brought the brotherhood of firemen to a pinnacle of perfection. ... Sabina and Rick's road to love is scary for both of them, but you'll totally enjoy the sights along the way.

Thank you to all reviewers who take the time to read books and write such well thought-out reviews. We authors truly do appreciate it, even though at times we have to read with a squint. :-)

Do you like writing reviews? As an author or a reader, what's your advice to authors about reviews?

Fools for Luv Blog Tour

I'm part of a fabulous blog tour happening this month. My contribution to the Fools For Luv tour -- 10 Ways Firehouses can Celebrate Valentines Day. It'll be up tomorrow, February 13 at http://www.foolsforluv.blogspot.com It's very tongue in cheek, and I hope you enjoy it. Here's one example of my not-so-brilliant suggestions:

6.  Some departments paint their fire engines pink for Breast Cancer Month. For Valentine's Day, why not coat the entire engine in a luscious layer of Godiva chocolate? The ladies will love it.

I had a lot of fun with the post. There will be a book giveaway, as well as other prizes, so please stop by!

SWEEPSTAKES!

Have you heard about the new sweepstakes Avon and I are running to celebrate the release of SEX AND THE SINGLE FIREMAN? It's so cool, I'm very excited about it. The prize is a chance to give a firefighter from your hometown a role in my next fireman book. You see, there's a huge wildfire tearing through the Southwest, and firefighters from all over the country are volunteering their time to help fight it. One of them -- and it's a very heroic character -- can be chosen by you!

Some people have asked me if it can be a real firefighter, and the answer is yes, so long as that firefighter gives his or her permission. Also, Avon Books and I have final approval of anything that goes in the book. But other than that, the sky's the limit! You can name the character and decide where he (or she) comes from. Other details may be included as well.

So how do you enter? It's easy. No purchase is necessary. All you have to do is like my Facebook page or sign up for my newsletter.

I'll also be giving away signed copies of HOT FOR FIREMAN to three more winners. The sweepstakes runs through Valentine's Day. GOOD LUCK!

And if you'd like to check out SEX AND THE SINGLE FIREMAN, click here.